Product 02, Zhukov Dance Theatre's Latest Dance World Premieres

An international cast of dancers will perform world premiers by Artistic Director, Yuri Zhukov and guest choreographer, Hlin Diego. Pioneer Plaques 2009, was inspired by the 1972 and 1973 spacecraft launches of Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11, respectively. Hlin Diego's work, Caught in the Square, will focus on fear, its origins, progressions and outcomes.

Reviews & Ratings

Zhukov Dance Theatre is turning out to be the Apple of local contemporary dance. Last year's 1.0 set the bar high. Product 2.0 cleared it like child's play.

Two distinct pieces, both world premieres. Pioneer Plaques (with narrative passages from Stephen Hawking) explored the fate of the human race. Stark staging, with sound to match, contrasted with lush, emotionally charged dancing. Innovative use of video and the full depth of the YBCA stage.

Caught In The Square actually started during intermission with a DJ onstage spinning a chill out groove. Don't get too cozy, though...this piece explores the origins of fear. Four colorful characters (including Katie Scherman, the only dancer from Product 1.0) burst in like a bad dream. Just like the characters from your favorite anxiety dream, they may switch places, but the end result is always the same...you're frightened and confused.

If the evening's themes seem too weighty with macro and micro angst, don't worry. Both ultimately result in the same Lady Gaga-esque conclusion...just dance and it will be all right.

Total time (w/intermission) is 2:15. Give yourself extra time to get there on Sat. night--looked like there was going to be some kind of festival in the park and access to YBCA could be limited.

I thought the duration for the performance was much too long. The first half of the performance was 1 hour with no break and the second piece was another 45 mins. The choreography strategies seem to be repetitive after some time and my interest...continued

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Quotes & Highlights

“In a single evening, Zhukov Dance Theatre established itself as one of the most promising presences of the Bay Area dance scene.” —San Francisco Chronicle

Description

An international cast of dancers will perform world premiers by Artistic Director, Yuri Zhukov and guest choreographer, Hlin Diego.

Yuri Zhukov’s new work, Pioneer Plaques 2009, was inspired by the 1972 and 1973 spacecraft launches of Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11, respectively. The two spacecrafts were the first to leave the solar system. On board each craft was an engraved plaque depicting the elements of our civilization.

Hlin Diego’s work, Caught in the Square, will focus on fear, its origins, progressions and outcomes. Hlin says, “For this project, I will depend a lot on the dancers. I want to discover their personalities, their stories. My main focus will be a creation that delivers their unique talents.” Hlin is an internationally acclaimed dancer, who has worked and created pieces with such outstanding masters of modern dance as Mats Ek, Wim Vanderkeybus and Jahan Inger among others.